If James is stressing at all about his free agency decision with six teams attempting to sign him and much of the NBA hanging on his move, it didn't show on Monday.
LeBron James drew the attention of nearly every high school and college player in attendance during Monday's opening day of James skills camp at Rhodes Arena in Akron. James worked out and played in some pickup games with Hornets guard Chris Paul, but declined comment on his free-agent choices.• Amare Stoudemire to sign with Knicks
AKRON, Ohio -- A shake of the head and smile is all the waiting world got from LeBron James Monday when he was asked about his future as he left his Nike camp at the University of Akron.
James made a bit of a surprise appearance for a workout on the first day of the LeBron James Skills Academy at Rhodes Arena. If he's stressing at all about his free agency decision with six teams attempting to sign him and much of the NBA hanging on his move, it didn't show.
He looked relaxed during the two-hour workout and after an another hour of stretching and icing he left without directly answering reporters' questions about his decision or his timetable. As is commonplace, James wore a Yankees cap in and out of the building.
James' manager, Maverick Carter, also declined to comment before James' group left in a motorcade led by James in a white Bentley coupe.
It is believed James won't make an announcement on where he plans to sign at least until after the three-day camp ends on Wednesday. He is expected to make another appearance at the camp on Tuesday. Players can officially begin signing with teams on Thursday.
LeBron James and New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul enjoyed the opportunity to play agianst some top college and high-school talent during Monday's visit to James' skills camp.The Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls are believed to be the most serious contenders for James' services. But Monday the New York Knicks reportedly came to the brink of a deal with forward Amar'e Stoudemire, which would be the biggest signing of the summer so far and could increase their visibility to James.
The only drama during the afternoon came when James and close friend Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets teamed up to play in a pickup game against some of the college stars in attendance. Paul was taking it a bit easy as he recovers from ankle and knee injuries but he and James had all eyes on them when executing some fast breaks.
James did not play at full speed but looked to be in excellent condition, perhaps having lost some weight from the end of the regular season. He did not show any signs of lingering problems with a right elbow injury that bothered him off and on during the last several weeks of the season. After the workout, however, James iced the elbow and forearm.
Joining James at the workout was Cavs 2009 first-round draft pick Christian Eyenga, who is in town working out with the team and is expected to take part in summer league in Las Vegas starting next week. Eyenga made several athletic plays during the pickup game, including an alley-oop dunk off a pass from James.
Current Cavs free agent forward Jawad Williams also took part as did former team guard Damon Jones and former James high school teammate Romeo Travis.
James was stretched and treated before and after the workout by Cavs assistant athletic trainer Mike Mancias, who works heavily with him in the off-season.
The pickup games virtually stopped all action in the gym so the college and high school stars could watch the two All-Stars play together. James went up against several different players, including Chris Wright of Dayton and Kyle Singler of Duke.